Audio file
Title: Alan Lomax, Winston Fleary, and Dr. Cesaire discuss presenting the culture of Carriacou
Date recorded: 1990
Contributor(s): Contributor: Cesaire, Dr.; Contributor: Fleary, Winston; Contributor: Lomax, AlanBelongs to: Cesaire/Fleary/Lomax, 1990
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Date recorded: 1990
Contributor(s): Contributor: Cesaire, Dr.; Contributor: Fleary, Winston; Contributor: Lomax, Alan
Subject(s): Stick fighting; Shakespeare Mas; Maroons
Genre: interview/commentary
Location:
Tape number: T4581
Track Number: 1
Archive ID: T4581
Note: Changes in Carriacouan culture. Serenades used to last longer. Christmas caroling formerly began with string bands in October, now starts closer to Christmas. Carpenters and masons wait for seamen to arrive. Alan Lomax: What would happen if two bands met in the street? Would there be a musical contest? Fleary: When there was a wedding, the bride and groom's party would each have a band. When these met they would join up and play together. Each would have a flag, but the groom's flag would end up on top. Old traditions dying out. Discrimination, formerly prevalent, is also on the wane. Windward Village was lighter, more Europea| Bellevue darker, more African. Stringed instruments were more prevalent among Creole French, drums among Africans. Although prejudice existed, it was mitigated by the fact that everyone knew each other and went to the same schools. "Maroon" was a village gathering and communal dinner, held to celebrate thanksgiving for a good crops. Afterwards, there would be dancing with drums. It was held in different villages at different times. New Year's and Carnival featured skits and recitations from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar and other history pieces, e.g., William the Conqueror. Masquers did it helter-skelter, not exactly, but repeating parts over and over, African style. Oratory with lots of gestures. Stick fighting among masquers. Before 1948 Carnival was a mixture of music and a big event, a fight between East and West. Villages had a competition for a king. The best man was not just the one who could hit hardest, he had to be eloquent in speeches before the fight. Sometimes policeman would lower a flag to stop the fight. Stick fighting still goes on. Head usually padded. Mirrors in heart area, enemy tries to break it. Alan Lomax on the richness and commonality of Caribbean culture - ancestor worship, community festivals. It would be a shame if it were to die out. How to revive a culture? Support for some professional musicians. Discussion of potential funding sources for theater troupe. Dr. Cesar's father was one of the best dancers| his mother's family was active in string band and quadrille dancing. They discuss strategies for effective communication with audiences, starting and ending strongly, avoidance of excessive formality. Boat-launching ceremony described - communal festivities, drumming, and sea chanteys. During Lent, St. Patrick's day was considered the only suitable day to launch a boat. The death of the last whaler in Carriacou. Dr. Cesare's father was head chanteyman. Dr. Cesare's dream of a hospital ship for Carriacou.
About the session: Alan Lomax, Winston Fleary (playwright and director of Big Drum dance troupe), and Dr. Cesaire (performer and physician) discuss presenting the culture of Carriacou, Grenada
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